Going back to Aus after permanent residency in US

[mrssurman 67]

I’m a US citizen married to an Australian citizen, living in the US. He originally came here on K1, and we’re now waiting for his 10 year green card. However, we are now expecting our first baby & are looking towards the future. We’d like to go back to Australia by the time our bub is school-aged, because we feel Australian education is superior to what our child could obtain here in the US.

 

What does the process look like in reverse? I am getting the impression that he may need to move back ahead of me to re-establish home & income there, which is obviously not ideal with a child. Is there any way for me to come with him? I do realize that leaving the US will mean abandoning his future green card, but we are pretty set on this being the eventual path we want to take… just not sure how far in advance we need to plan to start the process.

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

[Sukie 1,464]

35 minutes ago, mrssurman said:

I’m a US citizen married to an Australian citizen, living in the US. He originally came here on K1, and we’re now waiting for his 10 year green card. However, we are now expecting our first baby & are looking towards the future. We’d like to go back to Australia by the time our bub is school-aged, because we feel Australian education is superior to what our child could obtain here in the US.

 

What does the process look like in reverse? I am getting the impression that he may need to move back ahead of me to re-establish home & income there, which is obviously not ideal with a child. Is there any way for me to come with him? I do realize that leaving the US will mean abandoning his future green card, but we are pretty set on this being the eventual path we want to take… just not sure how far in advance we need to plan to start the process.

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

Start with this.   https://gettingdownunder.com/the-9-ways-to-emigrate-to-australia/

And here:  https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/bringing-someone/bringing-partner-or-family

 

If your spouse gets US Citizenship, then you would be free to go back and forth if you change your mind.

 

My spouse is Australian, and I have Australian Permanent Residency.  We are both US Citizens as well.  We live in both countries, going back and forth.  Also, Australia has folks called "Migration Agents" who can help.  Maybe your spouse's family can locate one to help you.

 

Good luck on your journey!

 

Sukie in NY and on the Gold Coast

[D-R-J 192]

I was also going to say that your husband could probably naturalize before your child is school aged. 

[Lil bear 4,258]

48 minutes ago, mrssurman said:

I’m a US citizen married to an Australian citizen, living in the US. He originally came here on K1, and we’re now waiting for his 10 year green card. However, we are now expecting our first baby & are looking towards the future. We’d like to go back to Australia by the time our bub is school-aged, because we feel Australian education is superior to what our child could obtain here in the US.

 

What does the process look like in reverse? I am getting the impression that he may need to move back ahead of me to re-establish home & income there, which is obviously not ideal with a child. Is there any way for me to come with him? I do realize that leaving the US will mean abandoning his future green card, but we are pretty set on this being the eventual path we want to take… just not sure how far in advance we need to plan to start the process.

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

He should naturalize before you go .. also valuable getting at least 40 SS quarters ss that sets him up for US Social security and US medicare if you come back to US   .. and he can receive SS income in Australia. Unless he surrenders his GC you will both need to continue to file US tax returns and declare your Aus income. .. you will always need to file .. But the tax treaty avoids double taxing ( there is an upper limit)   Be aware if the differences in how the 2 countries tax superannuation etc .. not a show stopper but better to know in advance 

 

Aus spouse visa is explained on the Aus website ..   you can apply from outside or when already in  Aus 
 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/bringing-someone/bringing-partner-or-family

 

 

significantly more expensive .. currently $7500 AUD ish..  but a similar process    Remember that Aust does not have the parent visa category like the US… 

[aruadha 58]

Hi! Similar situation with, I am US citizen, husband is Australian and got US Citizenship in 2021.  We are planning on moving back to Aus in about 3 years.  I have researched a bunch and from what I can tell- if we all (we are family of 6) go back then myself, and the older kids couldnt work until the application is completed.  If my husband goes back, had a job, gets a bank account etc, myself and the 2 older kids can still work here in the US.  So for us, thats how we will do it bc we cannot make it on just 1 income.  I also read that sometimes when you are applying for the Aus visa and have been married a while with kids, they will grant both the temporary one and the permanent one at the same time. :)

I do agree with the other person that advised your husband to get his US citizenship.  

Also, from my research, to buy a house in Melbourne, they look at income, debt ratio.  So thats why my husband would go back first.  We want to buy a house instead of renting if possible.  

Happy to see you on here in similar circumstamces! 

[African Zealot 1,455]

5 hours ago, mrssurman said:

and we’re now waiting for his 10 year green card.

Means he’s probably eligible to apply for naturalization in a few months (3 years from when first green card was issued). That means in about two years max from now he could be an American, solves a lot of issues.

 

My $0.02

[mushroomspore 3,044]

8 hours ago, mrssurman said:

I’m a US citizen married to an Australian citizen, living in the US. He originally came here on K1, and we’re now waiting for his 10 year green card. However, we are now expecting our first baby & are looking towards the future. We’d like to go back to Australia by the time our bub is school-aged, because we feel Australian education is superior to what our child could obtain here in the US.

 

What does the process look like in reverse? I am getting the impression that he may need to move back ahead of me to re-establish home & income there, which is obviously not ideal with a child. Is there any way for me to come with him? I do realize that leaving the US will mean abandoning his future green card, but we are pretty set on this being the eventual path we want to take… just not sure how far in advance we need to plan to start the process.

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

Yeah I agree with everyone saying to file for naturalization as soon as your husband is eligible, which is most likely soon. Once he is a citizen, you won't have to worry about his status and he'll be able to go back and forth without any issues. Obviously, make sure to get your child's US passport as well. I can't advise on the Australian side of things...that requires its own research, but for the US side of things, naturalization is the smartest thing to do and ASAP since you'll want to head to Aus in like 2-3ish years.

[STO Overland 137]

I’m not from Australia however like some others, we don’t plan to remain the US for the rest of our days.
 

And for the reasons given by others, I also applied for my US citizenship (never know what the future brings, 10 quarters for working and ease of travel back to the US). 

 

with regards to researching our future home, we’re about 5-7 years away from making that move but I research everyday (joined Facebook groups to understand the process, purchased books, have been learning the language for past 2 years). Good luck 

[Sarah&Facundo 598]

We also plan on possibly leaving the US. My husband does not want to become a US citizen, but will likely apply to naturalize just so we can go back and forth without ever having to deal with immigration. If you aren't plan on moving until your child is school age, you should be able to complete that process well within the time frame. Congratulations, by the way!

[beloved_dingo 1,979]

We've been looking into this as well. My husband is Australian, waiting on his 10 year green card. He can apply for citizenship in October. So we are currently planning on waiting for I-751 and N-400 approval, then consider whether to apply for the Aussie Partner visa. Please may change in a few years but I certainly like to keep my options open. 

 

This is a link to the Partner visa to apply for if you will be applying from the U.S.: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-offshore/provisional-309#Overview

[Ontarkie 14,304]

~~Moved to Immigrating Outside the US, from the Regional forum~~

[Deb+Steve 13]

It's been years since I have been on this forum! Glad I came back and searched for information. We are contemplating doing this so I have just filed for my US Citizenship to make things easy. We do have (2) children that are US citizens so I'd like to be able to travel freely in the future. I'll probably go ahead while he continues to work here to get things set over there. Holy Moly on the cost, I forgot what an expensive exercise this is.

 

Best of luck to all.